Education
Bushenyi school beats 59 others to win national spelling bee competition
Parental Care's victory followed a closely contested battle with Elgon View Primary School from Tororo district. However, Lisa Pearl Kebirungi emerged as the overall winner, ensuring that the crown went to the Bushenyi-based school
Parental Care's victory followed a closely contested battle with Elgon View Primary School from Tororo district. However, Lisa Pearl Kebirungi emerged as the overall winner, ensuring that the crown went to the Bushenyi-based school
By: Bruno Mugizi, Journalist @New Vision
Bushenyi district-based Parental Care Nursery and Primary School has been crowned the national champion in the junior category of the 2026 Enjuba Spelling Bee competition, beating 59 other schools from across the country.
The competition featured two categories junior, for children aged four to 13, and senior, for participants aged 13 to 18
Namilyango Junior Boys School from Mukono district won the senior category
The victory comes after Parental Care won the Ankole regional spelling bee competition held at St Mukasa Preparatory School in Sheema Municipality in July this year, marking another milestone for the school.
Close contest
Parental Care's victory followed a closely contested battle with Elgon View Primary School from Tororo district. However, Lisa Pearl Kebirungi emerged as the overall winner, ensuring that the crown went to the Bushenyi-based school
The competition, held at the Kampala Serena Hotel, attracted 263 participants from 60 schools across the country. It was the 14th edition of the Enjuba Spelling Bee
Having participated in 10 previous editions, Parental Care Nursery and Primary School drew on its experience to overcome its competitors and emerge victorious.
The competition followed a knockout format in which a learner was eliminated immediately after failing to spell a given word correctly.
Participants went through three rounds involving spelling words, filling in missing letters, and identifying and naming objects. Learners who completed the rounds advanced to the next stage.
Ministry lauds participants
Hajjat Dr Safina Mutumba, the assistant commissioner in charge of early childhood and pre-primary education at the education ministry, represented permanent secretary Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda as the chief guest.
In her remarks, Mutumba commended the participants for having the courage to compete on a national stage
The competition, held at the Kampala Serena Hotel, attracted 263 participants from 60 schools across the country. It was the 14th edition of the Enjuba Spelling Bee
Having participated in 10 previous editions, Parental Care Nursery and Primary School drew on its experience to overcome its competitors and emerge victorious.
The competition followed a knockout format in which a learner was eliminated immediately after failing to spell a given word correctly.
Participants went through three rounds involving spelling words, filling in missing letters, and identifying and naming objects. Learners who completed the rounds advanced to the next stage.
Ministry lauds participants
Hajjat Dr Safina Mutumba, the assistant commissioner in charge of early childhood and pre-primary education at the education ministry, represented permanent secretary Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda as the chief guest.
In her remarks, Mutumba commended the participants for having the courage to compete on a national stage
She encouraged learners not to consider themselves failures when they failed to spell certain words, noting that the competition provided an opportunity to learn and develop their skills.
Mutumba also expressed surprise at the ability of the young participants to spell words that even adults might struggle with
She urged teachers and parents to encourage children not only to spell words correctly but also to understand their meanings.
Mutumba challenged schools to embrace digital thinking and promote early literacy among learners
"Every child is a potential reader, writer and thinker. Our role is to provide a friendly environment where every potential is realised," she said.
Winners to represent Uganda in Algeria
The winners in the respective categories are expected to travel to Algeria next year to compete against other spellers from across Africa.
Parental Care headteacher Desmond Tayebwa said the competitions build learners’ confidence and improve their performance in examinations.
At the end of the competition, all participants received certificates, while the winners received various prizes, including cheques and laptops.
Mutumba also expressed surprise at the ability of the young participants to spell words that even adults might struggle with
She urged teachers and parents to encourage children not only to spell words correctly but also to understand their meanings.
Mutumba challenged schools to embrace digital thinking and promote early literacy among learners
"Every child is a potential reader, writer and thinker. Our role is to provide a friendly environment where every potential is realised," she said.
Winners to represent Uganda in Algeria
The winners in the respective categories are expected to travel to Algeria next year to compete against other spellers from across Africa.
Parental Care headteacher Desmond Tayebwa said the competitions build learners’ confidence and improve their performance in examinations.
At the end of the competition, all participants received certificates, while the winners received various prizes, including cheques and laptops.